Roof



Aug. 4, 1931. D. GREENWALD ROOF Filed Nov. 21, 192e RWM/4" y INVENTOR AORNEY E I ww @y Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITE STATES Roose' Applicationmed November 21, 192s.v serialirq. s203158. i

This invention relates to roofs, and particularly to roofs for suchbuildings as large public garages, halls, etc., wherein the eliminationof supporting posts is necessary and trusses have to be resorted to forsustaining the roof.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a strong, durable,simplified, and eflicient roof for the above type of buildings,

which roof may be conveniently and economically produced, and,conveniently, rapidly, and economically erected.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the roof constitutingthis invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional elevation of a fragment of the roof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in an enlarged scale, showing one of thecentral portions of the roof.

Upon the walls 1 are anchored at 2 a series of the sustaining archedtrusses 3, each of which consists of an upper member 4, a chord 5, andupright posts 6. Each of the members 4 is arched as shown, and incross-sectional configuration comprises a ver- 3 tical'web 7, 7 a, and apair of horizontal webs 8, 9 extending from each side of the web 7 theweb portion 7 a projecting beyond and below the horizontal webs 9 tostrengthen the arched member 4 and the entire truss withoutnecessitating addition of substantial material and weight thereto. Thespace 10 between each adjoining pair of trusses 3 is built over to formthe covering or roof 11 proper by means of a plurality of planks l2which are rabbeted together, as shown at 13, Fig. 2, and extend from thewalls 1 upwardly to the longitudinal centre line of the roof, with theterminals 14 of the planks telescoping into and between the space formedby the webs 7, 8, 9, whereby the planks 12 constitute an arched bodyacting as the rootl proper. At the longitudinal centre line of the roofthere is located a notch 15 in one of the webs 8 of each of the beams 4,which serves for the proper assemblage of the planks l2 in place, bymeans of inserting one terminal 14 of the plank between the webs 8, 9 ofthe opposite beam 4, then permitting the other terminal to drop onto theweb 9 of the yimmediate beam 4 through the notch 15, and then shiftingthe inserted plank laterally toward the wall 1 or against the lastlyinserted plank, the webs 8, 9 in this instance acting as tracks for theshifting plank. In this manner the planks 12 are built up to form thearch, from the walls 2 to the longitudinal centre line of the roof,whereat the lastly inserted plank at the notch 15 serves as a keystoneof the arched roof, this plank being planed off along Iits sides andfitted in position properly as may be necessary.

It will be evident that the planks 12 thus constitute together with eachother and a self sustaining arched structure making up the roof, whichhas inherent strength independently of the sustaining trusses 3, and inwhich those trusses, by means of their specially conligurated beams 4,serve to retain the planks 12 longitudinally and against I upward ordownward displacement. As a result of the mentioned principles and thecircumstance that the trusses may consequently be made substantiallylighter, the

roof produced possesses a maximum of strength, durability, andefiicency, with a minimum of material, labor, and expense.

Advantages of economy and labor for this structure are furthersecuredthrough the utilization of the planks 12, which may be cut toidentical lengths from regular stock, and assembled in place by mereinsertion into the beams 4 in the manner described.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention.

Having vthus described my invention, I claim:-

A roof having the combination of a series of arched trusses, the upperarched member of each of said trusses being integral in; cross-sectionalconfiguration, said upper member having a vertical web and a pair ofhorizontal webs projecting laterally from each side of said verticalweb, said vertical web projecting below the lower of said horrATENnpornos izontal webs for securing thereto the posts of said truss, aplurality of covering members extending transversely of said trusseshaving their terminals projecting between said horizontal webs, and saidcovering members being close to each other and constituting togetherwith each other independently of said trusses a self sustaining archedstructure making up the roof with said trusses acting to preventdislocationv of said covering members. Y

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York,this 15th day of November, A. D. 1928.

DAVID GREENVALD.

